NFPA Journal - Spring 2023 - 67

SUMMARIES OF NFPA REPORTS
AND FIRE PROTECTION RESEARCH
FOUNDATION PROJECTS
under the age of six. Ten of these fires
occurred in homes and accounted
for 53 deaths, including all 17 children
under the age of six. Two fires
occurred in nonhome structures and
accounted for six deaths. Additionally,
one fire and one explosion occurred in
nonstructure settings and accounted
for six deaths.
2021 recorded the second-lowest
number of catastrophic multiple-death
fires in the past 10 years; 2015 was the
lowest, with nine fires recorded. The
average number of such fires over the
previous 10 years (2012 to 2021) was
19. The 65 fire deaths in 2021 was also
the second-lowest total during that
period and falls 52 percent below the
10-year average of 117 deaths per year.
The deaths of children under six in
2021 was the fourth highest in 10 years
and matches the annual average of 17
during that period.
The 65 deaths resulting from catastrophic
fires in 2021 occurred in a variety
of property groups: 53 (81.5 percent)
occurred in home fires, six (9.2 percent)
occurred in nonhome fires, and six (9.2
percent) occurred in nonstructure fires.
No single fire in 2021 claimed the
largest loss of life in 2021-three home
fires were responsible for the deaths
of six people each. One of those fires
occurred in a manufactured home;
the cause was undetermined but was
believed to have started on a porch
and spread to the interior of the home.
It was not reported if the home was
equipped with smoke detectors. The
second fire occurred in a two-story
wood frame single-family home. The
cause was smoking materials that
ignited bedding or clothing in a firstfloor
bedroom where oxygen was being
used. Smoke alarms were present and
operated. Five of the victims were
located in bedrooms on the second
floor and a sixth victim was found in
the bedroom of origin. A cause was not
determined for the third fire, but the
600-square-foot home was occupied by
10 people at the time of the blaze.
Two catastrophic multiple-death
events occurred in non home
structures-one was a fire in a
vacant home occupied by squatters,
and the other was an explosion and
fire in a barn/workshop. Each incident
killed three people. Additionally,
catastrophic multiple-death events
occurred in two nonstructure fires-
one in the cabin of a docked boat,
and another when a pipe used in a
campfire exploded. The pipe was later
determined to be an explosive device,
unknown to the victims. Each incident
killed three people.
Detection and
suppression equipment
Information on smoke detection
equipment was reported in eight
of the catastrophic multiple-death
incidents that occurred in structures
or vehicles in 2021. Detectors were
present in five of the incidents and
were not present in three cases. These
systems operated in three fires. The
occupants in these structure fires
were trapped above the fire or had
the exits blocked by heat and smoke.
Information on automatic suppression
equipment was reported for
seven of the structure fires, none of
which included suppression systems.
Smoke alarms have been proven
effective in reducing the risk of death
in home fires. The most effective have
a significant impact on catastrophic
multiple-death fires. Lives could be
saved by the installation of smoke
alarms and sprinkler systems. More
detailed information is available on
the study's incident page regarding
protection systems and where victims
were located at the fire scene.
Additional lives could be saved if
people followed evacuation advice
when they are threatened by wildland/urban
fires.
CATASTROPHIC MULTIPLE-DEATH FIRES
AND EXPLOSIONS BY TYPE
Home Fires
Oklahoma
Date, Time of Alarm, Number of Deaths
March, 1:17 a.m., six deaths (one under
the age of 6).
Number of Stories, Occupancy Type,
Construction Type
This was a one-story, single-family home
(manufactured home) of unprotected
wood-frame construction. The floor area
was not reported.
Detection Systems and
Suppression Systems
It was undetermined if there were detectors
present. There was no automatic
suppression equipment.
Fire Origin and Path
The cause was not reported but it is
believed to have begun on a front porch.
Contributing Factors and
Victim Locations
The home was fully involved when firefighters
arrived. A team of firefighters
entered the structure through a window
but withdrew soon after due to deteriorating
fire conditions with heavy smoke
and heat. Once the fire was knocked
down, a full primary search was performed.
The location of the victims was
not reported.
Virginia
Date, Time of Alarm, Number of Deaths
April, 12:11 a.m., six deaths (two under the
age of 6).
Number of Stories,
Occupancy Type, Construction Type
This was a two-story, 2,380 square-foot
(221 square-meter) single-family home of
unprotected wood-frame construction.
Detection Systems and
Suppression Systems
A detection system was present and
operated, but the type and coverage
were not reported. There was no automatic
suppression equipment present.
Fire Origin and Path
The fire started when smoking materials
ignited bedding material or clothing in a
bedroom while oxygen was in use.
Contributing Factors and
Victim Locations
Arriving firefighters found heavy fire showing
from the front windows. The front door
was forced open by firefighters, but many
household items were blocking the doorway.
A rear door was missing a doorknob,
but firefighters forced the door open
into the kitchen and a resident exited,
while another was located on the kitchen
floor. During the search, five victims were
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NFPA Journal - Spring 2023

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